KALAMAZOO, Mich. –  Western Michigan hosts No. 5 ranked Akron in a highly anticipated Mid-American Conference men's soccer matchup this Saturday, Oct. 24. Kickoff from the WMU Soccer Complex is at noon. Admission is free.

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HIGH STAKES
There are only five contests during the Mid-American Conference schedule, making every league game more and more critical. WMU enters Saturday with a 1-1-0 MAC record having lost at West Virginia (1-0) and defeating Bowling Green (2-1). The Zips are the only undefeated team in the conference, posting wins over Buffalo (2-1) and Northern Illinois (4-0). At the end of the regular season the top four teams advance to the 2015 MAC Tournament. The regular season champion serves as the tournament host.

RIVALRY RENEWED
Western Michigan is 3-30-2 all-time against the Zips with one of those three wins coming last year in Akron. Senior Jason Grant scored in the 31st minute and WMU held on to a 1-0 victory. It was WMU's first ever regular season victory over the Zips and the loss broke a 13-game unbeaten streak at home at the time for Akron. The Zips were ranked No. 19 in the nation. WMU and Akron met again in the 2014 MAC Tournament semifinals. The Zips won that match 2-1, coming back from a 1-0 deficit, scoring both goals on a pair of late penalty kicks. Western Michigan has squared off against Akron in the Broncos' last four MAC Tournament appearances. WMU advanced past the Zips in 2011 on penalty kicks (4-3) after playing to a 1-1 tie.

SHUTOUTS EQUAL SUCCESS
Western Michigan has an 8-3-2 overall record and has posted eight shutouts this season. The eight shutouts ranks one shy of tying the school record of nine which was accomplished in 1988 and 1989. WMU ranks 7th in the nation in shutout percentage and 9th for team goals against average. Redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Drew Shepherd has allowed just one goal in eight games, spanning 605:00 minutes and is the nation's leader for goals-against average (.149) as well as save percentage (.947).

LEADING THE ATTACK
Senior Nick Wysong leads WMU in goals (5), assists (6) and points (16). He ranks in the top 10 in the MAC in all three categories and is 15th in the nation for assists per game. Senior Carlos Suarez has four goals and three assists and has totaled five points over the last two games. He had both of WMU's goals in the Broncos' 2-1 victory over Bowling Green last Saturday. Senior Connor Furgason has three goals and WMU has 21 as a team.

QUICK START
WMU started the season off with a 5-0-1 record and was ranked in the TopDrawerSoccer national top 25 poll for back-to-back weeks before falling out of the poll three weeks ago. After going 1-3-1 over a stretch of five games following the hot start, Western Michigan has bounced back to post back-to-back victories, defeating Bowling Green (2-1) and Green Bay (3-0) in the past week.

BRONCO BITS
WMU is outscoring opponents 21-7. The Broncos have taken 101 corners and allowed just 27. The team is 6-1-1 at home this season.

SCOUTING AKRON
Akron has perennially been one of the top teams and is ranked No. 5 in the nation this week, No. 2 in the Great Lakes Region behind national No. 1 Creighton. The Zips have won their last eight games in a row and have a 11-2-1 overall record. The team is coming off a 4-1 victory over Michigan State on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Akron is coached by Jared Embick in his third season. Akron has scored 32 goals and allowed 18 against. Sophomore Richie Laryea has been the MAC Player of the Week the last three straight weeks and leads Akron with nine goals. Adam Najem and Sam Gainford each have six goals while Victor Souto has five. Gainford also has a team-best six assists. Senior Jake Fenlason has played every minute in goal, posting five shutouts. He has a 1.24 goals-against average and a .746 save percentage.

WHAT'S NEXT
Western Michigan is on the road for its next three games following Saturday's match, traveling to Michigan (10/27), Northern Illinois (10/31) and Bradley (11/3). The Broncos face Buffalo in the final regular season game, hosting the Bulls on Nov. 7, which will also be Senior Day for WMU.